Pernod Takeover Talk Surrounds
Allied Domecq's Spirits Division

LONDON -- Just days after Allied Domecq PLC agreed to sell its chain of 3,500 pubs, takeover rumors have begun swirling around the British company's spirits business.

A spokesman for Allied Domecq declined to confirm or deny weekend speculation that French drinks group Pernod Ricard SA is planning a five-billion-pound ($7.69 billion) bid for its spirits division. But he said the company remains "pragmatic" about...